BX1I50 
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Logical  «§g£ 


CENTENNIAL  SERMON, 


DELIVERED    AT 


NORTH    CANAAN,  CT., 


JULY  28,  1869, 


By   REV.   JOSEPH    ELDRIDGE,   D.  D. 


OF  NORFOLK,  CT. 


LEE,  MASS. 
PRINTED  BY  WILLIAM  H.  HILL  &  CO. 

fl«3  1869. 


CENTENNIAL   SERMON, 


DELIVERED    AT 


NORTH    CANAAN,  CT., 


JULY  28,  1869, 


By   REV.   JOSEPH   ELDRIDGE,   D.  D 

OF  NORFOLK,  CT. 


1* 


LEE,  MASS. 

PRINTED  BY  WILLIAM  II.  HILL  &  CO. 

1869. 


'O'muuni,  &tug.  30th.  7869. 
Joseph  Sldridge,  r,/.rj. 

Wear  %ir:   Jn  lehalf  of  tht  Church  and 

Society,  wt    request  a  copy  of  your  V,  ,,i,  „,>;,<!  discount    for 

publication 

J.  A  PoweU, 
£4.  ■',.   Wright. 


CENTENNIAL  SERMON. 


Remember  the  days  of  old,  consider  the  years  of  many  generations. — Devi. 
82:  7. 

This  was  a  Divine  direction.  And  we  have  in  the  Bible  the  history 
of  the  establishment  of  the  covenant  which  God  made  with  Abra- 
ham— the  germ  as  many  suppose  of  the  christian  church  ;  also  an 
account  of  the  organization  of  the  Mosaic  econom}',  and  a  brief 
outline  of  the  annals  of  the  chosen  people  of  God,  for  many  gener- 
ations. This  history,  at  once  civil  and  ecclesiastical,  is  instructive 
and  full  of  interest.  All  history  is  instructive  It  illustrates  the  char- 
acter of  men,  it  unfolds  the  Providence  of  God.  But  we  naturally 
feel  a  special  interest  in  the  lives,  labors,  and  achievements  of  those 
from  whom  we  descended  ;  of  those  who  once  lived  where  we  arc 
passing  our  days,  and  who  laid  the  foundations  of  those  institutions, 
civil  and  religious,  which  they  left  behind  as  a  legacy  to  us.  Fraught 
with  such  interests  to  this  community  must  be  a  narrative  of  the 
organization  here,  and  perpetuation,  during  a  hundred  years,  of  this 
Congregational  Church.  You  owe  it  to  those  who  preceded  you 
here,  and  into  whose  labors  you  are  entered,  to  recall  their  memories, 
to  recount  their  deeds,  to  thank  God  that  your  destiny,  so  far  as  it 
depended  on  human  agency,  operating  before  }rou  saw  the  light, 
was  in  His  Providence  committed  to  such  hands.  Then,  too,  the 
example  of  the  christian  men  and  women,  and  of  the  patriotic  citi- 
zens of  other  days,  should  awake  in  jtou  a  noble  spirit  of  emulation, 
to  act  worthily  of  such  ancestors  and  predecessors,  and  in  your 
day  to  do  something  that  shall  in  like  manner  benefit  and  animate 
those  who  are  to  come  after  you,  in  their  generations, 

Canaan  originally  embraced  the  whole  territory  of  what  is  now 
Canaan  and  South  Canaan.  The  township  was  sold  1732,  and  began 
to  be  settled  two  years  after.  Canaan  was  incorporated  as  a  town  in 
1739.  The  Church,  in  what  is  now  South  Canaan,  was  formed  1741, 
and  consisted  of  four  persons,  Jacob  Bacon  and  wife,  Isaac  Law- 


rence  ami  wife.     This  Mr.  Isaac  Lawrence  has  numerous 
ants.     In  L852  they  were  estimated  to  Dumber  not  less  than  GOO. 
The  proprietors  of  the  town  of  Canaan  made  provisions  for  preach- 
ing the  Gospel  to  the  first  settlers.     From  that  time  down  to  1818, 

ministers  were  supported  by  a  tax  levied  on  the  town,  as  for  Other 
purposes.  Persons  were  allowed  to  pay  to  such  ministers  as  they 
preferred.  Rev.  Elieha  Webster  was  the  Erst  minister  settled  in 
Canaan.  He  was  settled  Oct.  1,  1 7  to,  and  dismissed  Oct.  14,  1752. 
It  is  stated  that  Rev.  Daniel  Farrand,  was  ordained  two  months 
previous  to  the  dismission  of  Mr.  Webster.  Mr.  Farrand  continued 
in  the  pastorate  of  the  church  till  his  death,  March  28, 1803,  a  period 
of  more  than  fifty  years. 

It  will  give  us  a  glimpse  of  the  state  of  things  here,  in  some  re- 
spects, about  that  time,  to  notice  a  fact  or  two.  The  Connecticut 
Courant  was  then  the  only  newspaper  of  any  description  published 
in  the  State.  It  was  started  Oct.  29,  1764.  According  to  a  state- 
ment found  in  a  number  of  that  paper,  it  was  estimated  that  in  the 
town  of  Canaan  500  sheep  were  killed  by  wolves,  in  1164.  John 
Franklin  was  a  subscriber  for  the  Connecticut  Courant  from  the 
beginning.  He  received  the  first  number  issued  in  1764,  and  it  has 
been  received  in  the  same  house,  on  the  same  spot,  down  to  the 
present  time,  1869.  First  by  John  Franklin,  then  by  his  son  Silas 
Franklin,  and  now  by  his  grandson  Charles  Franklin.  There  was  a 
grand  wolf  hunt  Sept.  23,  1765,  in  which  30  men  took  part,  and  the 
result  was  five  grown  wolves  killed.  This  first  number  of  the  Con- 
necticut Courant,  Oct.  29,  contained  fresh  news  from  England  via 
Boston,  down  to  the  5th  of  September  previous,  about  two  months 
old. 

This  Church  was  formally  organized  in  the  year  1769,  a  century 
ago.  It  was  a  colony  from  tlie  Congregational  Church  in  the  South 
part  of  the  town,  then  under  the  pastoral  charge  of  Rev.  Daniel 
Farrand.  It  appears  from  the  records  of  that  church  that  a  request 
to  be  dismissed  from  that  church,  lor  the  purpose  oi'  being  formed 
into  a  separate  church,  was  made  by  the  following  persons  :  Capt. 
Isaac  Lawrence  and  his  wife,  John  Franklin,  dared  Huxley  and  his 
wile,  Samuel  Hobart  and  his  wife,  Simon  Tobbs,  Elisba  Baker, 
Andrew  Bacon  and  his  wife,  Samuel  Forbes  and  his  wile,  and 
•  lames  Adams.  This  request  was  -ranted  Dec.  1,  1769,  and  on  the 
5th  of  the  same  month,  the  male  persons  mentioned  above,  together 
with    Allen  Curties,  Jedediah   Richards,  Stephen  Rice,  Ebenezei 

bfudge,  Justice  Gaylord,   Nehemiah    Lawrence,  and  Abiel   Fellows, 
adopted  a  confession  of  faith,  and  articles  of  church  government  ; 


and  were  organized  into  a  church,  Rev.  Daniel  Farrand  presiding. 
It  is  noticeablej  that  the  record  indicates  that  the  men  only,  took 
part  in  the  act  of  organization  ;  for,  alter  the  organization  was  com- 
pleted, then  it  states  thai  the  women  were  received  hy  vote,  viz  : 
Mrs.  Stephen  Ripe,  Mrs.  Jared  Huxley,  Mrs.  Samuel  Jlobart,  Mrs. 
Isaac  Lawrence,  Mrs.  Andrew  Bacon,  Mrs.  Abiel  Fellows.  This 
new  church  proceeded  the  next  month,  Jan.  It),  1770,  to  take  meas- 
ures to  obtain  a  pastor,  by  inviting-  Rev.  Asahel  Hart,  to  settle  with 
them  in  the  gospel  ministry.  Rev.  Asahel  Hart  accepted  their  call, 
and  was  installed,  March  14th,  1770.  The  following  clergymen  took 
part  in  the  installation  exercises  :  Rev.  Mr.  Champion,  of  Litchfield, 
offered  the  introductory  prayer  ;  Rev.  Mr.  Clark  preached  the  ser- 
mon ;  Rev.  Dr.  Bellamy,  of  Bethlehem,  offered  the  installing  prayer  ; 
Rev.  Daniel  Farrand,  of  the  South  Parish,  gave  the  charge  ;  Rev. 
Ammi  R.  Robbing,  of  Norfolk,  gave  the  right  hand  of  fellowship  ; 
and  Rev.  Mr.  Bradwell  made  the  closing  prayer.  The  meeting- 
house in  which  Rev.  Asahel  Hart  preached,  was  built  1768,  a  wooden 
structure,  40  feet  by  50,  and  24  feet  posts.  It  stood  a  little  East  of 
the  house  in  which  Mr.  Bigelow  now  resides.  Capt.  Isaac  Lawrence 
was  the  builder.  The  present  meeting-house  was  erected  in  the  year 
1822,  during  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Pitkin  Cowles,  and  thoroughly 
repaired  during  that  of  Rev.  Hiram  Eddy.  To  go  back  to  the  pas- 
torate of  Rev.  Mr.  Hart.  The  church  in  1770,  chose  Elisha  Baker 
and  Andrew  Bacon,  deacons,  and  they  accepted  the  appointment. 
Rev.  Asahel  Hart  continued  in  the  pastorate  office  here,  a  little 
more  than  five  years,  nc  died  June  28,  1775.  After  his  decease, 
no  pastor  was  settled  over  the  church  for  nearly  seven  years.  It 
was  the  time  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  Indeed,  the  death  of  Mr. 
Hart  occurred  less  than  two  weeks  after  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill. 
The  spirit  that  animated  the  Revolutionary  leaders  met  with  a  cor- 
dial sympathy  here.  During  the  struggle  of  the  colonies  for  inde- 
pendence, Canaan  sent  into  the  field  many  brave  men.  Among 
them  was  Nathaniel  Stevens,  who  enlisted  in  1775,  and  served  as 
commissary  general  till  the  dissolution  of  the  commissary  depart- 
ment in  1782  ;  and  Capt.  John  Watson,  a  native  of  Canaan,  who 
raised  a  company  in  Norfolk,  and  did  good  service  in  the  war.  Capt. 
Gersham  Hewitt,  served  under  Col.  Ethan  Allen,  when  he  surprised 
and  captured  Fort  Ticonderoga,  May  10,  1775.  Capt.  Hewitt,  act- 
ing as  a  spy,  entered  the  Fort  and  reconnoitred  its  condition,  pre- 
paratory to  the  assault.  Assuming  the  dress  and  mariners  of  a  simple 
minded  man,  in  search  of  an  old  aunt  of  "  Varmount,"  Hewitt  so  suc- 
cessfully personated  the  character  as  to  awaken  no  suspicion  on 


the  pari  of  the  garrison.  He  was  permitted  to  enter  the  fort,  and 
t<>  wander  about  at  his  pleasure,  indeed,  he  was  rather  hospitably 
entertained.  Pretending  never  to  have  seen  a  cannon  before,  he 
enquired  what  those  long  iron  things  with  boles  in  the  end  were  for. 
Having  gained  the  necessary  information,  he  left  the  Port  and  re- 
turned to  the  camp  of  Col.  Allen,  who  selected  him  to  lead  the 
assaulting  party.  When  Col;  Allen  demanded  of  the  commander 
of  the  Fort  a  surrender,  he  was  asked  by  what  authority  he  made 
the  demand,  and  replied  "  In  the  name  of  the  Greal  Jehovah  and 
of  the  Continental  Congress."  Hewitt  was  told  by  the  captain 
of  the  guard  of  the  Fort,  that  if  he  had  known  who  he  was  when 
he  entered  the  Fort  the  day  before,  he  would  have  shut  him. 
Jonathan  Gillette,  18  years  of  age,  was,  while  on  military  dutj 
at  Horse  Neck,  during  the  Revolutionary  war.  taken  prisoner  in 
company  with  several  others,  and  carried  to  New  York,  and  con- 
fined for  ten  months  in  a  sugar  house,  where  he  Buffered  severely 
from  hunger  and  disease.  [See  Appendix  A.]  During  that  war 
the  minds  of  all  were  much  engrossed  by  it.  there  was  little 
thought  or  attention  devoted  to  home  affairs,  and  the  church  re- 
mained without  a  pastor. 

In  June  8,  1782,  Rev.  Amos  Thompson  was  installed  pastor  of 
this  church.  Mr.  Thompson  was  from  Virginia,  and  brought  North 
several  slaves.  During  his  pastorate  he  and  his  wile  spent  a  winter 
at  the  South.  Previous  to  leaving  they  deposited  their  silver  and 
various  delicacies  in  the  parlor,  under  lock  and  key,  and  had  also 
taken  with  them  the  key  of  the  wine  cellar.  On  their  return  thej 
found  that  the  slaves  left  ill  charge  of  the  establishment,  had  found 
means  to  gain  access  to  these  apartments,  and  bad  without  scruple 
made  free  use  of  their  contents,  for  their  own  enjoyment,  and  in 
liberal  entertainments  given  to  their  friends.  [See  Appendix  B.  | 
After  all  the  difficulties  connected  with  the  Revolutionary  war  had 
subsided,  Mr.  Thompson  and  his  wile  were  disposed  to  return  to  their 
Southern  home,  and  they  desired  to  take  their  slaves  hack  with 
them  ;  but  they  refused  to  go,  fled  to  Norfolk,  and  lay  in   conceal 

ment,  and  had  to  be  left  behind.  It  does  not  appear  that  Mr.  Thomp- 
son was  formally  dismissed  from  his  pastoral  relation  to  this  church. 

Before  leaving  t'anaan.  Rev.  Mr.  Thompson  manifested  a  practi- 
cal interest  in  this  church  and  society,  by  presenting  to  the  eccle- 
siastical society  his  house  and  farm,  worth  then  about  $1800,  0T1 
condition  that  they  should    raise    enough  to  male  $5000,  to  be  hel  I 

as  a  permanent    fund,  the  interest  of   which  should  be  appropriate! 


to    the   support    of  tho  minister.      This  sum    was    raised,    and    thus 
originated  your  permanent  fund. 

lu  17(.»1,  Rev.  Joshua  Knapp  was  ordained  as  pastor  of  the  church. 
Eow  long  his  ministry  continued  is  not  recorded. 

In  171>8,  Augast  24,  Rev.  Solomon    Morgan,  was   installed.  #  He 
died  Sept.  3,  1804,  aged  00,  after  a  pastorate  of  six  years.     His 
successor,   Rev.   Pitkin    Cowles,   was   ordained   August  29,    1805. 
During  his  pastorate  live  deacons  were  chosen.     Iu  1806,  Jacob 
Hinsdale,    Abiel   Fellows   and    Anson  Lawrence  ;   1821,    Rufus   B. 
Dunning;   1822,  William  Fierce.     The  first  reference  in  the  record 
to  revivals  of  religion,  occur  during  the  pastorate  of  Mr.  Cowles. 
Four  are  noticed.     One  in  the  year  1816,  as  the  fruit  of  which  21 
were  received  into  the  church  ;  1822,  when  11  were  received  as  tie' 
result;  1827,22;  1831,25.     In  the  war  of  1812,  Rev.  Pitkin  Cowles 
served  for  a  time  as  chaplain,  under  Gen.  Sterling,  stationed  at 
New  London.     Dea.  William  Pierce  was  drafted  at  the  same  time, 
and  appointed  sergeant,  also  Gersham  Hewitt,  Jr.,  and  Nathaniel 
Dean.    In  1820,  Rev.  Mr.  Cowles  organized  a  Sabbath  School,  among 
the  first  in  this  State.     He  presented  to  each  member  of  the  school 
a  Bible.     A  branch   Sabbath  School  was  organized  at  the  Corner, 
under  the  direction  of  Miss  Maria  Gillette.     Maria  I.  Watson,  now 
Mrs.  John  Lawrence,  was  one  of  the  pupils.     [See  Appendix  D.] 
Rev.  Mr.  Cowles  was  pastor  of  this  church  between  twenty-seven 
and  twenty-eight  years.     He  was  dismissed  a  few  months  previous 
to  his  death,  which  occurred  Feb.  3d,  1833.     I  had  not  then  been 
settled  in  Norfolk  a  year;   but  previous  to  his  dismission,  I  ex- 
changed with  him,  and  when  he  was  on  his  way  to  Southington,  his 
native  place,  and  where  he  died  in  the  same  apartment  in  which 
he  was  born,  he  called  upon  me  and  we  had  a  friendly  interview. 
His  funeral  sermon  was  preached   by  his   friend  and  ministerial 
neighbor,   Rev.  Leonard  E.  Lathrop,  then   pastor  of  the  church  iu 
Salisbury.     Mr.  Lathrop  described  Mr.  Cowles  as  having  possessed 
an  intelligent  and  comprehensive  mind,  and  one  stored  with  much 
useful  information,  as  eminently  sound  in  the   faith,  and  cordially 
devoted  to  the  cause  of  his  Master.     Mr.  Cowles  labored  here  in 
the  ministry  much  longer  than  any  other  pastor  of  the  church  dur- 
ing the  century  of  its  existence.     Through  Mr.  Ogden,  pastor  in 
Southington,   when   Mr.   Cowles  closed  his  life,  he  sent  from  his 
death-bed  a  most  affectionate  and  conciliatory  message  to  the  peo- 
ple among  whom  his   life-work  as  a  pastor  had  been   performed. 
Although  36  years  have  passed  since  his  decease,  his  excellent  wife 
is  still  spared,  and  in  full  possession  of  her  vigorous  powers. 


In  1  s:j.{,  Oct.  l'.M.  Rev.  II.  II.  Wbodbridge  was  ordained  pastor 
of  this  church.  1  was  present  on  tins  occasion,  and  by  designation 
of  the  Consociation,  gave  him  the  right  band  of  fellowship.  He 
sustained  the  relation  of  pastor  here  till  1842,  when  hi'  ceased  t<>  be 
a  minister  of  the  gospel.  Daring  his  pastorate,  in  the  year  1836, 
Dennis  Rood  and  Sereno  B.  Gillette  were  appointed  to  the  office  of 
deacons.  Then'  were,  also,  within  the  same  period,  two  seasons  "1' 
special  religious  interest.  One  in  the  Latter  pari  of  the  year  | 
and  as  the  result  ten  united  with  the  church.  The  other  in  1838, 
after  which  thirteen  were  admitted  to  the  church.  Alter  his  re- 
moval, the  church  was  without  a  pastor  about  three  years,  when 
Rev.  1).  D.  Francis  was  installed,  June  4th,  1845.  He  was  dis- 
missed in  1850.  While  he  was  pastor,  the  church  appointed  Amos 
Pierce  and  Geo.  K.  Lawrence,  deacons.  This  was  done  in  1848, 
and  the  same  year  there  were  eight  persons  received  into  the 
church  at  one  communion,  as  the  fruits  of  some  special  religious 
attention. 

In  June  4,  1851,  Rev.  Elisha  Whittlesey  was  ordained  pastor  of 
of  the  church,  and  after  filling-  the  office  about  two  years,  resigned, 
his  health  demanding  a  respite  from  labor,  and  a  milder  climate. 
In  the  interval  between  his  dismission  and  the  settlement  of  his  suc- 
r,  and  while  the  church  was  without  a  settled  pastor,  but  sup- 
plied by  Rev.  Hiram  Eddy,  occurred  a  powerful  revival  of  religion. 
It  brought  into  the  church  a  large  number  of  persons.  Thirty-nine 
were  received  at  a  single  communion  season,  April  (i,  1856. 

Rev.  Hiram  Eddy  was  installed  dune  26,  1866,  and  remained 
pastor  of  the  church  four  years.  He  was  dismissed  in  I860.  Two 
seasons  of  spiritual  quickening  occurred  while  he  was  pastor.  One 
in  1858,  when  twenty-six  united  with  the  church,  the  other  in  I860, 

when  six  were  received.     In   1868,  A.  A.  Wright  and  Charles  Kel- 
logg were  appointed  deacons. 

1  would  here  make  a  remark  in  regard  to  the  statement  of  num- 
bers that  1  have  given  as  the  result  of  revivals,  thai  these  numbers, 
according  t<>  the  statistics  furnished  me,  were  those  that  united  at 
one  communion,  when  the  Largest  number  admitted  at  one  tune 
were  received.     Undoubtedly  the  fruits  of  these  Boasons  of  special 

interest    were  qo1  all    admitted  at    one  time,  but    from  time  to    time. 

Then,  also,  there  were  received  into  the  ohnroh  many  individuals 
in  the  intervals  between  those  revival  seasons. 

Rev.  II.  M.  Grant  Bncceeded  .Mr.  Eddy,  after  an  inter  val  of  about 

three  years.      lie  was    ordained    Nov.   IT.   I  B63,  and  was    dismissed 

in  IKtiii.     Two  seasons  of  religions  interest  were  enjoyed  by  the 


church  daring  bis  pastorate.  Twelve  were  received  into  the  church 
Jan.  1 .  1865,  as  the  resull  of  one,  and  eleven  in  .May  and  July,  1866, 
as  the  result  of  the  other.     Eorace  B.  Stevens  was  chosen  deacon 

in  1865. 

Having  referred  to  the  Revolutionary  war.  and  that  of  1812,  for 
the  purpose  of  showing  thai  the  church  and  people  of  Canaan  were 
not  wanting  at   those   periods  in  their  devotion  to  liberty,  and  in 

patriotic  sentiments,  I  cannot  pass  over  in  silence  the  war  of  the 
Rebellion,  from  which,  through  the  Messing  of  God  upon  the  heroic 
services  and  great  sacrifices  of  the  loyal  people  of  the  North,  we 
have  recently  emerged.  Rev.  Mr.  Dean,  who  was  supplying  this 
pulpit  when  the  war  broke  out,  and  when  the  President  of  the 
Tinted  States  issued  his  call  for  troops,  immediately  volunteered 
to  go.  His  example  was  followed  by  young  men  from  the  church 
and  society,  and  also  from  the  community  at  large.  During  the 
war,  this  town  had  fifty-two  persons  connected  with  the  Union 
army.      '[Vide  their  names,  Appendix  C] 

Besides  those  resident  here  who  responded  to  the  call  of  their 
country  when  summoned  to  arms,  there  was  a  native  of  this  place, 
who  indeed  resided  elsewhere,  who  sprang  forward  when  danger 
threatened  our  national  existence  in  its  defense,  with  an  intelligent 
zeal  and  uncalculating  devotion.  You  know  to  whom  I  refer.  It 
is  fitting  that  this  distinguished  son  of  the  minister  who  so  long 
ministered  here  in  Holy  things,  and  who  nobly  fell  fighting  for  his 
country,  should  receive  some  notice  on  this  occasion.  Col.  David 
S.  Cowles,  when  the  rebellion  broke  out,  resided  in  Hudson.  He 
had,  though  still  young,  won  a  conspicuous  position  at  the  bar  in 
the  State  of  New  York.  At  the  summons  of  his  country,  he  imme- 
diately relinquished  his  profession  and  gave  himself  to  her  service. 
By  personal  influence  and  liberal  expenditures,  he  rendered  effect- 
ual aid  in  raising  two  regiments,  and  in  the  summer  of  1862,  re- 
ceived the  commission  of  Colonel  of  the  128th  X.  V.  Volunteers. 
In  the  autumn  and  winter  following,  his  regiment  belonged  to  the 
division  of  Maj.  Gen.  W.  T.  Sherman,  department  of  the  Gulf. 
In  April,  1863,  Col.  Cowles  was  dispatched  with  a  Brigade  to  de- 
stroy a  depot  where  the  rebels  were  collecting  military  stores,  near 
Pontchoula,  on  the  Pearl  river,  an  undertaking  which  he  accomp- 
lished much  to  the  satisfaction  of  Gen.  Sherman .  and  to  ttie  serious 
damage  of  the  rebels.  In  May  1863,  the  Government  ordered  the 
investment  of  Port  Hudson,  on  the  Mississippi.  The  regiment  of 
Col.  Cowles  was  a  part  id'  the  Union  forces  that  invested  the  place 
on  the  22d  of  May.     On  the  26th,  he   was  put  in  command  of  two 


10 

heavy  batteries,  which  seriously  damaged  the  rebel  works.  On  the 
nighl  of  the  26th,  he,  with  his  regiment,  performed  a  eery  difficult 
and  hazardous  t;isl<,  in  removing  sonic  obt-tacle  thai  interfered 
with  the  play  of  the  investing  artilery.  The  next  day,  the  27th 
of  .May,  l  363,  the  assaull  was  made.  The  Bcene  was  terrific.  Soon 
the  superior  ofiBc<  re  were  borne  bleeding  from  the  field,  and  the 
command  devolved  apon  Col.  Cowles.  He  rushed  to  the  head  of 
the  recoiling  column,  rallied  its  vacillating  ranks.    Animated  by  his 

voice,  example  and  dauntless  spirit,  it  pressed  on  to  within  six  rods 

of  the  enemy's  parapet,  when  their  leader,  several  paces  in  advance 
nl"  his  men,  a  sword  in  one  hand  a  revolver  in  the  other,  received  a 

fatal  shot  ami  fell,  lie  knew  that  his  wound  was  mortal,  but  In-  re- 
fused to  be  borne  to  the  rear;  he  still  urged  all  to  press  on  in  the 
attack,  and  to  leave   him    to  one   faithful   soldier.      Conscious  of  his 

condition,  he  requested  to  have  his  head  raised  that  he  might  Bee 
the  rebel  works  Baying  as  it  was  done,  "Oh  that  1  could  have  bl  en 
spared  a  few  moments  longer,  I  believe  we  should  have  carried 
them."    Hut  his  strength  was  last  ebbing  away,  ••  tell  my  mother," 

Said  he,  "  thai  J  died  with  my  lace  to  the  enemy."      And  then  clos- 

ing  his  eyes  his  last  words  were,  "  Chrisl  Jesus  re<  eive  my  spirit." 
Glorious  death  of  a  devoted  son,  a  true  gentleman,  a  brave  pat- 
riot, a  Bincere  christian.  At  the  price  of  such  lives  was  our  de- 
liverance purchased.  Col.  Cowles  was  a  grandson  of  Ebenezei 
Smith,  a    captain   in  the    army  of  the  Revolution,  a  right  hand  man 

of  Gen.  Washington,  in  whom  he  reposed  so  much  confidence  that 

he  placed  Maj.  Andre,  after  his  capture,  under  his  charge.  1  have 
now  gone  through  with  the  historic  sketch  of  th^  Congregational 

church  in  this  place  for  the  eentury  that  closes  the  present  year. 
It  has  had.  within  that  period,  ten  settled  pastors,  including  lev. 
Mr.  Cowles,  whose   ministry  was  not  closed  till  after  my  ordination 

in  Norfolk.    It  has  bad  bu  since  my  settlement  there,    l  have  been 

in  intimate  ami  friendly  relations  with  them  all.      Being  my  nearest 

clerical  neighbors,  I  have  keen  in  the  habit  of  exchanging  pulpits 
with   them    more  frequently   than   with   the  pastors  of  any  other 

church.     I   have  thus  become   familiar  with  the  condition  of  this 

Church  and    BOCiety,  and  have    anion--    the    members  of  each  many 

valued  acquaintances  and  friends.  Von  have  \<c<-\i  favored  with 
pastors,  a- a  whol<  tded  ability,  sound  in  the  faith  and  de- 

VOt<  d  to  their  Work.  One  foil,  hut  he  !  hope  was  not  an  utter  ap- 
ostate.    A.nd  yel  this  church  has  i ie  respect  had  trials  in  refer- 

erence  to  its  pastors,  and  that  has    keen  in  losing  after  a  brief  stay 

so  many  that   it   would  gladly  have  retained.     I  have  a times 


11 

almost  wondered  that  it  was  not  discouraged,  and  have  admired 
the  promptness  and  energy  it  has  displayed,  amid  its  various  diffi- 
culties. The  church  has  shown  a  stamina  in  the  past,  that  was 
proof  to  me  of  strong  faith  in  God,  and  a  high  appreciation  of  the 

value  of  the  stated  means  of  grace.  These  hereditary  traits,  that 
have  survived  the  past  lor  a  century,  will,  I  trust  in  God,  be  per- 
petuated indefinitely  in  the  future.  A  good  minister  of  the  gospel 
to  go  in  and  cut  before  you,  and  to  break  unto  you  the  bread  oflife, 
lias  ever  heeu  deemed  an  indispensable  necessity.  One  to  be  sup- 
plied at  whatever  sacrifices.  1  rejoice  in  your  present  prospects  in 
that  regard.  Another  circumstance  has  operated  to  weaken  this 
church  and  society,  as  it  has  done  most  of  the  churches  and  socie- 
ties in  this  vicinity.  The  process  of  depletion  by  emigration  has 
been  constantly  going  on.  The  young,  often  the  most  promising 
have  gone  forth  to  act  their  part  elsewhere  in  our  broad  land.  Often 
whole  families  have  sought  in  the  West  new  homes.  It  is  hard  for 
a  church  and  society  to  stand  this  ceaseless  drain.  But  there  is 
one  bright  aspect  of  this  matter.  These  natives  of  your  town,  these 
who  have  left  your  church  and  society,  are  acting  on  a  broader 
theatre,  they  are  probably  doing  more  for  themselves,  for  the  cause 
of  religion,  for  their  country  and  the  world,  than  it  would  have  been 
possible  for  them  to  accomplish  had  they  continued  to  live  here. 
They  are  scattered  far  and  wide,  and  could  the  facts  be  all  gath- 
ered and  brought  out  on  this  occasion,  it  would  appear  that  many 
of  them  occupy  positions  of  high  distinction  and  great  usefulness. 
May  the  church  continue  to  be  a  nursery  of  such  plants. 

The  century  that  has  passed  away  since  this  church  was  organized 
has  been  crowded  with  events  of  the  greatest  interest  to  us  and  the 
world.  At  the  beginning  of  it,  the  members  of  the  church  were 
the  subjects  of  Geo.  III.  Soon  came  the  war  of  the  Revolution. 
Following  it  was  the  adoption  of  the  Federal  Constitution,  and  the 
establishment  of  the  United  States  as  a  nation.  Then  the  French 
Revolution  of  '93.  Napoleon  the  first  was  born  the  same  year  that 
this  church  was  organized,  1*769.  His  mere  name  suggests  a  long 
series  of  wars  in  Europe.  Then  our  short  conflict  with  Great  Brit- 
ian,  the  war  of  1812.  The  growth  of  this  country,  how  astonishing. 
Then  within  this  period  the  application  of  steam  in  the  arts,  on  ves- 
sels and  as  a  motive  power  on  railroads,  themselves  of  recent  origin. 
Still  later  the  telegraph  and  photography  were  discovered.  In 
religious  matters,  all  the  benevolent  organizations  in  aid  of  the 
cause  of  evangelic  truth  date  since  this  church  was  formed.  The 
Bible,  Foreign  Mission,  Tract,  American  Home  Missionary  Socie- 


12 

ties,  and  the  others.  Sabbath  Schools  have  sprang  up  also.  Then, 
recently,  the  rebellion  crushed  and  slavery  abolished.  During  all 
these  years  of  advance  and  change  in  the  country  and  world,  this 
church  lias  held  on  its  way.  adhering  to  ih<-  faith  of  your  lathers, 
while  meeting  with  intelligence  and  zeal  its  ever  varying  circum- 
stances and  responsibilities.  Thank  God,  who  put  it  into  the 
hearts  of  your  fathers  to  found  this  church,  and  in  memory  of  their 
worth  and  what  they  bequeathed  to  you,  l>e  resolved  to  hand  down 
these  religious  institutions  in  all  their  simplicity  and  purity  to  those 
that  will  come  after  you. 

When  turning  from  the  survey  of  the  century  past,  we  gaze  for- 
ward into  the  future.  wIki  can  imagine  who  the  members  of  this 
church  in  I969will  be,  what  they  will  have  to  recount  of  change 
and  progress  in  this  laud  and  throughout  the  world,  what  they 
will  contemplate  around  them,  and  into  what  a  future  they  will  gaze  '! 
All  this  is  in  the  hands  of  him  who  was  the  God  of  your  fathers, 
has  been  your  God,  and  will  be  the  God  of  coming  generations, — 
a  wall  of  lire  round  about,  and  a  glory  in  the  midst. 


A  P  P  E  N  D I  X . 


A. 

A  small  fortress  on  the  St.  Lawrence,  called  The  Cedars,  was  garrisoned  by 
about  three  hundred  men  ;  this  fortress  by  the  treachery  of  their  commanding 
officer  was  delivered  into  the  hands  of  the  English,  who  kept  the  garrison  close 
prisoners,  employing  a  force  of  Indians  to  guard  them,  the  prisoners  being  treat- 
ed with  all  the  indignity  and  cruelty  which  the  savages  could  devise. 

A  force  of  Americans  were  sent  to  their  relief,  but  on  their  approach  they 
were  met  by  a  flag  from  the  British  commander,  stating  that  if  the  Americans 
should  fire  upon  them,  the  whole  of  their  prisoners  would  be  massacred,  and 
proposing  terms  of  release  for  the  prisoners.  The  terms  were  most  humiliating 
to  the  Americans,  but  they  were  obliged  to  accept  them  in  order  to  save  their 
imprisoned  comrads  from  a  terrible  death. 

When  the  British  were  ready  to  lelease  them,  the  Indians  refused  to  let  them 
go,  being  determined  to  set  on  fire  the  building  in  which  they  were  confined, 
and  thus  destroy  them  all,  and  they  only  consented  to  release  them  by  the  ex- 
change of  cattle  for  the  American  prisoners.  Thus  the  ancestors  of  many  of 
us  were  literally  exchanged  foi  cattle,  for  this  garrison  was  composed  in  part  oi 
a  company  raised  in  ( lanaan,  their  Captain  being  John  Stevens.  Oliver  Stevens. 
Jedediah  Smith  and  Benjamin  Stevens,  were  members  of  this  company. 

B. 

At  the  time  Mr.  Thompson  was  South,  he  left  his  house  in  care  of  Jupe  and 
Fan,  when  they  broke  open  his  wine-cellar  and  made  a  dinnerparty,  and  being 
seated  began  to  help  themselves.  Jupe  stopped  them,  saying  he  "must  first 
ask  a  blessing  like  Massa  Thompson."  "Oh  Lord,  good  a  bittlc  on  a  table. 
a  bean  and  a  quasi),  meal  in  a  pot,  Hinder  in  a  heaven,  lighty  on  a  gospel,  knock 
down  a  dry  tree,  ebermore,  Amen." 

'•Jupe,"  said  one  of  the  guests,  "I  tink  you  pretty  able."  He  replied,  "Oh 
I  dunuo,  I  link  I  say  him  putty  much  as  Massa  Thompson  do." 

c. 

LIST   OF   NAMES    v-    Vol.1  NTKKlis   l.\   THE    WAi:   OF    REBELLION 

Rev.  James  Dcane,  James  Mullen, 

Isaac F.  Daboll,  died.  John  W.  Coon,  died, 

Wm.  Twiss,  Walter  D.  Hoag, 

Edward  D.  Lawrence.  John  Lemley, 


14 


Albert  P.  Bl 
M.        II.  Day.  died, 
Aiiki-  L.  Ivi  b,  died, 
Edward  If.  Roys, 
Bamael  8.  Beach, 
Henry  Sims, 
Sydney  Hart. 
Fiank  A.  Cumminge, 
P.  ( !.  ( lummings, 
Eugene  Decker, 
Philander  Emmons,  died, 
William  Gorman, 
Bennel  Bines, 
Patrick  McGrath, 
Thomas  Noonan, 
Edward  Norton, 
Alexander  Waters, 
Allen  B.  St.  John, 
.hums  Keith, 
I  ieneral  H.  Morgan, 
( 'liarles  Thompson, 
John  Warner, 
Samuel  T.  Howlson, 
William  H.  Morris, 


John  Rodemyer, 
John  ( larrol, 

Abram  Coons,  died, 
William  Linnalian. 

Henry  R  >ot,  died. 

F.nsign  Units. 
Fred  Reill, 
Robert  Gardner, 
Alfred  June,  died. 
William  Hart. 
Heman  H.  Coon-. 
Charles  Long, 
Xe/.iar  Demars, 
.lames  l.inlialian, 
Charles  Morris, 
James  Reill, 
Ira  C.  Bailey, 
Burton  1J.  Eveta, 
John  Hillyer, 
Edward  Puller,  died, 
Jacob  Scamehorn, 

James  F.  Bigelow,  M.  I).,  was  Surgeon, 
and  distinguished  himself  as  such. 


D. 


Early  in  his  ministry  he  was  anxious  to  devise  some  means  Cor  the  particular 
instruction  of  children.  At  that  time  there  never  had  been  heard  of  in  this 
country  such  an  institution  as  a  Sabbath  School.  lint  he  went  to  each  school 
district  and  invited  one  whom  he  thought  most  competent  to  call  the  children 
together,  a  suitable  time  after  the  Sabbath  exercises  at  church,  and  instruct  them, 
and  have  them  commit  passages  of  scripture  and  hymns  to  memory,  &C. 

In  after  years,  when  Sunday  Schools  were  established  in  this  country,  he  took 
the  greatest  interest  in  them,  and' had  one  at  once  formed  here,  and  was  himself 
Superintendent  for  several  seasons.  After  another  Superintendent  took  his 
plaee.  he  formed  a  Bible  class,  which  he  instructed,  and  which  was  conducted 
similarly  to  those  of  the  present  lime. 

I^hink  there  are  persons  now  living,  who  can  testify  to  his  unceasing,  anxious 
desire  for  the  instruction  ami  religious  improvement  of  the  youth  ami  children 
of  this  place. 


During  the  year  1819,  many  petty  thefts  were  committed,  they,  in  the  au- 
tumn of  the  \  ear.  ultimated  in  the  robbery  of  nearly  all  the  contents  of  a  large 
store,  owned  by  .Mr.  Winterbotham,  the  father  of  the  distinguished  writer,  Mrs. 
Ann  S.  Stephens.  This  culmination  of  thieving  greatly  excited  the  community, 
and  every  aid  was  volunteered  Mr.  W.  in  searchim:  OUl  the  perpetrators. 

Suspicion  fastened  upon  a  stranger  of  very  unprep<  person  and  hab- 

its, calling ;  himself  Prink.  .Many  little  incidents,  gifts,  etc.,  increased  the  be- 
lief of  bis  guilt. 

He  lived  with  Mr.  Samuel  Abbot,  a  man  who  had  ever  borne  an  irrcproach- 


15 

able  name  But  the  finished  villain,  the  stranger  proved,  drew  him  in  as  an 
accomplice.  This  first  great  crime  lay  heavily  in  the  In-art  unaccustomed  to 
vice,  and  could  aot  be  so  dexteiously  masked,  though  Abbot  never  by  a  word 
betrayed  his  Mcphistopheles. 

Finally  the  ill-gotten  booty  was  found  packed  under  the  great  pulpit  of  the 
church.  The  pulpit  was  a  high  semi-circle,  the  structure  descending  to  the  base 
of  the  building,  affording  ample  room.  The  entrance  was  from  the  pew  of  the 
clergyman's  family,  made  by  causing  a  large  panne!  to  fall  inward  by  pulling  a 
cord  terminating  under  ihe  seat.  There  was  also  a  trap  door  opening  under  the 
church.  It  was  through  this  that  two  young  men,  in  the  persevering  efforts 
made,  found  the  hidden  stores.  (Those  weie  Mr.  Horace  Huntington  and  Dr. 
Amariah  Brigham,  who  became  a  learned  and  eminent  Prof essor  of  Medicine 
in  Utiea,  N.  T.) 

Here  were  found  large  quantities  of  cotton  cloth,  recognized  by  Mr.  Beth 
Andrews  as  from  his  factory,  also  bars  and  other  iron  from  Samuel  Forbes, 
Esq.  Gems  and  jewels  came  up  in  their  turn— these  reverted  to  their  former 
owner  in  Norfolk.  The  young  men  were  reminded  of  the  wily  Frink's  reply  to 
some  one  who  was  attempting  to  extract  a  word  or  look  of  self-betrayal—"  I'll 
tell  you  who  had  a  hand  in  it,  Setb  Andrews,  and  Esquire  Forbes,  and  Priest 
Cowles  has  charge  of  the  goods." 

Those  were  the  last  days  of  the  poor  old  church,  and  it  was  soon  taken  down. 

The  Sabbath  succeeding  the  discovery,  Rev.  Mr.  Cowles  delivered  a  soul- 
stirring  sermon  from  the  text.  "  It  is  written,  my  house  shall  be  called  the  house 
of  prayer,  but  ye  have  made  it  a  den  of  thieves." 


Rev.  Isaac  P.  Powell  was  installed  pastor  of  the  Congregational  church  in 
Canaan,  on  the  28th  u!t.  Sermon  by  Rev.  E.  P.  Powell,  brother  of  the  candi- 
date ;  installing  prayer  by  Rev.  Thomas  Crowther;  charge  by  Rev.  W.  H. 
Teel;  right-hand  by  Rev.  W.  E.  Basset!  ;  address  to  the  people  by  Rev.  W.  T. 
Doubleday.     Mr.  Powell  had  already  labored  a  year  with  this  people. 


